The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-06

Vailandisham Favored Peace and the Res
toration of the Whole Union.


4. n. ". in New York Herald.
Please let me add something to what Jacob
thompson says in the Southern Blvouac, con-
corning Clement L. Vallandishams connection
with the so-called Northwestern conspiracy" of
1864 In 1862, and again in 1863. Mr.. Vallan-
dieham was asked to join the secret organiza-
ton, which was afterwards known as 'sThe Sons
of Liberty" and was then called 1.-The Order of
American Knights Each time he refused, be-
cause he feared the order might have some
thing to do with the Southern Confederacy.
Early in 1864, Mr.. Vallandigham, then.an exile
In Canada, was invited and urged to join the or
der. He was assured that the organization had
no connection with the Confederacy and he as
sented to become a member. Shortly after the
supreme council of the order met in New York
city, organized 1.-The Sons of Liberty" and made
Mr. Vallandigham grand commander.
Mr. Vallandigham took the oath of Office in
the United States and faithfully discharge the
duties of grand commander. Under Mr. Vallan-
dlgham's leadership the order rapidly grew. In
May, 1864, he learned that leaders of the Sons
of Liberty" were in conference with confederate
agents, with view to a rising against the fed
eral government. The confederate agents gave
no assurance that such Northern States as could
be induced TO rebel against the federal govern
ment would be received into the Southern Con-
federacy. Mr. Vallandigham Indignantly de-
nounced the scheme, warned the subordinate
officers of the order against treating with con-
federate agents. declared that no finger should
be raised or shot fired In aid OF the Confederacy
until all idea of permanent dsunion given
up, and said if the conspiracy went further he
would inform President Lincoln. This checked
the rising.
A few weeks later Mr.. Vallandigham secretly
made his way from Canada to his home in Ohio,
but he bad so thoroughly lost confidence in 'the
Sons of Liberty" that he made his escape with
out any notification to the order Without Mr..
Vallandighams knowledge it was planned that
1.-The Sons Of Liberty" should rise against the
federal government Aug 16, 1864. the belief
being that, the rebellion once begun, the grand
commander would be draggedinto it. The risins
was foed by the discovery that the detectives
of the United States knew of the conspiracy.
Mr.. Vallandigham declared that ''the Sons OF
Liberty" little knew him, if they supposed he
could be dragged into the thing.
| 1t is perfectly certain that if Mr.. Vallandig
| ham could have been induced to countenapce q
rising of 1.-The Sons of liberty" against the fed
| eral government, it would have been solely in
| the hope OF bringing about such cessation OF
| the civil war as would permit negotiations for {
| peaceful restoration of the Union. He stopped
| a rising that did not promise such result. au(
| thus prevented new civil war. Mr.. Vallandig
| ham wrongly believed that the Union could no
| be restored by coercing the South, but no man
| North or South, was more anxious than he tina
| this country should be under one government
| ard that the government of the United States.
| NEW YORK, JAN 2, 1887.